The Song of Solomon

3 “On my bed during the nights I have sought the one whom my soul has loved.+ I sought him, but I did not find him. 2 Let me rise up, please, and go round about in the city;+ in the streets and in the public squares+ let me seek the one whom my soul has loved. I sought him, but I did not find him. 3 The watchmen+ who were going around in the city found me, ‘The one whom my soul has loved have YOU men seen?’ 4 Hardly had I passed on from them until I found the one whom my soul has loved. I grabbed hold of him, and I would not let go of him, until I had brought him into my mother’s house and into the interior room of her that had been pregnant with me. 5 I have put YOU under oath,+ O daughters of Jerusalem, by the female gazelles or by the hinds of the field,+ that YOU try not to awaken or arouse love [in me] until it feels inclined.”+

6 “What* is this thing that is coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, being perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,+ even with every sort of scent powder of a trader?”+

7 “Look! It is his couch, the one belonging to Solʹo·mon. Sixty mighty men* are all around it, from the mighty men of Israel,+ 8 all of them in possession of a sword, being taught in warfare, each one with his sword upon his thigh because of dread during the nights.”+

9 “It is the litter that King Solʹo·mon has made for himself from the trees of Lebʹa·non.+ 10 Its pillars he has made of silver, its supports of gold. Its seat is of wool dyed reddish purple, its interior being fitted out lovingly* by the daughters of Jerusalem.”

11 “Go out and look, O YOU daughters of Zion, on King Solʹo·mon with the wreath+ that his mother+ wove for him on the day of his marriage and on the day of the rejoicing of his heart.”+